Championship Round Up
Birmingham City 1-0 Sheffield United
Phillips 91
In the day's early match, Birmingham City left it until the last possible moment to get the winning goal. Kevin Phillips, who came on as a second half substitute,e got the only goal of the game in injury time to see the Blues off to a winning start against Sheffield United.
Blackpool 0-1 Bristol City
Brooker 90
Bristol City must have been taking note of the Birmingham game as they also left it until time added on to score. Steve Brooker waited until the 90th minute to get his campaign off to a goal scoring start has he netted for Bristol City who will be looking to have another crack of the promotion whip this season.
Cardiff City 2-1 Southampton
Thompson 41 McGoldrick 45
Johnson 91
Late goals seem to be a theme for the opening day of the season as at Ninian Park it looked like the points would be shared between Cardiff and Southampton, that is of course until Roger Johnson had his say on the matter. With the game tied at 1-1 heading into the final minutes Johnson popped up to seal the victory for the Blue Birds. Transfer listed striker Steve Thompson gave Cardiff the lead with McGoldrick equalising just 4 minutes later sending the teams in level at the break.
Charlton Athletic 2-0 Swansea City
Hudson 3
Gray 85
A good start for Alan Pardew and Charlton was essential and with a 2-0 win on the opening day of the season, the Addicks got just want they wanted. New signing and skipper Mark Hudson put Charlton ahead with a powerful header after just 3 minutes played before Andy Gray, the former Burnley and Sunderland striker sealed the victory with just 5 minutes to go.
Coventry City 2-0 Norwich City
Ward (pen) 48
McKenzie 86
After what would be regarded as a disastrous campaign last year, it was imperative for Coventry to get off to a good start, and that they did with a 2-0 win over Norwich City adding weight to the suggestion that Coventry might just mean business this year. Arturo Lupoli made his debut for Norwich as did a host of others but none were able to muster up a reply to Ward's penalty early in the second half before McKenzine sealed the points when he latched on to a rebounded Clinton Morrison shot.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Watford
A bore draw at Selhurst Park for two of last year's play-off semi finalists.
Derby County 0-1 Doncaster Rovers
Guy 59
Derby's dismal run of form spilled over into this season as they recorded yet another defeat, this time to Championship new boys Doncaster Rovers. Brian Stock was instrumental in the win and was wrongly credited for the goal that was converted by Lewis Guy who popped up just before the hour mark to seal the points for Rovers in what was a dream start.
Ipswich Town 1-2 Preston North End
Lisbie 2 McKenna 21
Whaley 34
Despite getting off to the worst possible start, North End fought back from a goal down after just 73 seconds on the clock to seal the points at Portman Road. Paul Mckenna got his first goal since January 2007 as he unleashed a screamer for 25 yards before Whaley, playing as a make shift striker due to the injury to Chris Brown, tapped in from close range.
Plymouth Argyle 2-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Fallon 7 Kightly 19
Seip 55 Vokes 78
It was a hostile return for Sylvain Ebanks-Blake as his Wolves side set back off up the midlands having shared the points at Home Park. Rory Fallon put the home side ahead before Michael Kightly's effort brought them level. Seip put Argyle back in front with it looking like the Pilgrims might just record a win on the first day of the season. That was until teenager Sam Vokes popped up to get the equaliser.
Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Barnsley
Hall 29, 31 Hume 5
Barnsley's £1m Canadian international, Iain Hulme got the visitors off to a great start having got a goal on his competitive debut for his new club before Fitz Hall, and unlikely source for goals popped up to score two in as many minutes for Rangers. QPR were later rewarded a penalty but with Hall wanting a hat trick, he stepped up himself only to see his penalty saved by Luke Steele in the Barnsley goal.
Sheffield Wednesday 4-1 Burnley
Tudgay 1,65 Paterson 6
Sodje 4, 17
In what was arguably the shock result of the day, Sheffield Wednesday came out all guns blazing to record a 4-1 win over the Clarets. A flurry of goals got the game off to a chaotic start with Tudgay putting the Owls a head in the first minute and Sodje scoring the first of this two goals just 3 minutes later. Martin Paterson got his first goal for Burnley two minutes later but a goal each in the second half for Tudgay and Sodje completed the scoring.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Reading
With the score tied at 0-0, it's hard to think that these two clubs were two leagues apart last season.
Andy Cole was ruled out with injury meaning it was Robert Earnshaw who was used as a lone striker and given him the sole responsibility of providing the goals, but it wasn't to be his day. It was a good start for Forest who will take credit form a hard earned point against one of the leagues favourites to go back up.